The Super D is a new format for the Ripper for 06.
What'll it be next year - the Super UH? Perhaps the XC 4X? We
now know the Super D will be a hard act to follow. Many of us have
been riding like this for years; squeezing extra vert and extra sweat into
a shuttle by lacing it with uphill sections. A little pedal up the
Baden to Boogie? Sounds like a nice way to finish a ride. Perhaps
that explains why the format was so well received. James was told
more than once 'you should do four of these next year!'
Barb Haley and Johnny Smoke entered on hardtails - chainless.
Team CLHT. It is indeed pronounced the way you think it's pronounced.
Photo ~ Cam McRae
The goal of the Ripper Super D course was an epic downhill of between 30
and 60 minutes covering a variety of terrain. Seymour was the perfect
venue with massive vert and a combination of lines like the smooth and stunty
CBC and the rooty old school tech of TNT and Dale's. The upper parking
lot was the staging area and groups of 10 riders at a time were sent down
to the start at the top of CBC where James gave his famous pre-race speech
in a more intimate setting. His most pertinent line was "if someone
catches you, pull over - you are at least a minute off the back."
This would come back to sting us later when James and his group caught our
team.
James Wilson giving his famous pre-race pep talk. Photo
~ David Ferguson
After ripping CBC the route ducked into TNT and then cut across
Cabin Trail to meet up with Mushroom. From there riders rolled down
into Dale's Trail, taking a left at the swamp and climbing up to incline.
The route continued upward going the wrong direction on Ned's and finally
reaching the second section of Corkscrew. From here it was mostly
all downhill; Pingu, Team Pangor to the end and then an uphill finish to
the left on Bridal Path.
Digger was there collecting some footage for NSX 9. Photo
~ David Ferguson
There is a simple equation in mountain biking on the North
Shore that we all know but perhaps haven't ever clearly defined; the possibility
for a ride turning into a gong show doubles for every rider added to a group
beyond three. A group of six isn't twice as likely to have problems
as a group of three - it's eight times as likely. Still riding as
a group is what riding the Shore is all about which is why there was no
solo cat for the Super D. You could ride with a partner or with three
buddies but those were the only options.
Colin Miller followed by Trevor Hansen. Were they
the weakest links? Photo ~ David Ferguson
The four person category was a corporate challenge and folks
like Team Shuttlewhore stepped up and entered four teams. The winning
team in the challenge was given the opportunity to donate all funds collected
to the charity of their choice. A total of 12 teams ponied up big for charity.
More on that later.
King of the Shuttlewhores! Paul Kim leans into some
of Jeremy Power's handiwork. Photo ~ David
Ferguson
This was the first time I actually had a chance to toss my
hat into a Ripper. I rode with Colin
Miller and Trevor
Hansen from our team as well as honorary team member Jeremy Schaab.
One of the great things about racing is that there is nowhere to hide.
It's also one of the crappy things when you take a beating - which we did.
The thing to do is to step up and take responsibility and I'd like to do
that - for Colin and Trevor who held us up. Actually Jeremy and I
may have been the weakest links but we all had a great time.
nsmb team one took a hit when Ryan
Newman broke his chain on CBC and had to continue without any power.
Team Shuttlewhore's first team managed to podium despite a beer break part
way down the trail.
That's the spirit. These guys had the essence of the
Ripper series nailed down. They didn't call themselves the Brokeback
Mountain bikers (they didn't even see it coming) but everyone else did.
Photos ~ David Ferguson
James Wilson and team 'Coffee makes Cowboys Dizzy' had a great
run but couldn't quite catch Team Big Legs who rolled in with an impressive
time of just under 43 minutes. As expected the two person cat. was
hotly contested and Matt Juhasz and Jon Zammit put two minutes into the
entire field - crossing the line right around 37 minutes. That's blazing
fast. Much of the usual pro contingent were busy at Sterling Lorence's
stag up in Kamloops so it was a chance for the almost mortals to shine.
Riders had to finish together so there wasn't much point
in getting too far ahead. Better to stay close in case a teammate
needed a hand. Photo ~ David Ferguson
Dave O'Dowd from Whistler
Action Video covering some ground. He was always running it seems.
Photo ~ David Ferguson
There were some big bragging rights on the line for the
corporate challenge and Team Big Legs - which had riders from Steed, Dizzy
and John Henry Bikes won the right to donate the proceed - $1300 in all
- to the charity of their choice. The boys decided the
nsmbA is a worthy cause so that money
will go back into the trails. Nicely done lads! They also
won some great swag. The addition of Dakine as a sponsor this time
around sweetened the pot substantially and there were many smiling faces
in the Hurricane Grill once the draw prizes were finished. It was
sort of like racing in the old days - without all the standing around
at awards and the stress and the attitudes... You get the idea.
Eric Anderson and Team Big Legs took the corporate challenge.
Photo ~ David Ferguson
There are two more Rippers left for 2006. Next up is the always
entertaining CBC observed downhill Ripper. The
idea is to ride CBC as fast as you can and to collect time bonuses by
riding the stunts. Last year the best prizes went to riders wearing
the best costumes so you can guess what the vibe is like. That's
June 10th and we'll let you know when registration
is up. We have sold out two Rippers in a row so keep your ear to the
ground if you want to come out and play.
The icing on the cake will be the second annual Triple Crown Poker
Rip. You'll need to make your way to certain points on all three
North Shore Mountains where you'll collect a card. You'll also
be asked to perform silly manoeuvres at some stations to help pad your
poker hand. You can get there however you want but most riders
did it the old fashioned way last year - even Team Shuttlewhore.
Epic is an understatement. If you plan to ride the Triple
Crown you'll want to clear your schedule for July 8th.
All day.
I'll let you know when registration is ready for each event so stay
tuned.
Thanks to all the Ripper Sponsors, North Shore Search and Rescue, The
District of North Vancouver, the gifted trailbuilders and of course
all the volunteers that helped make the Super D possible.
See you next time. Head to Whistler
Action Video to see a clip of the Seventh Ripper - and soon some
video of the Super D.
Are we done yet? Or is there time for another?
The Whores rush for the finish. Photo ~ David Ferguson
Huge thanks to our 2006 North Shore Ripper Sponsors!
